Gun range on target

Published: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 08:00 AM.

Of course, Panama City Beach thought the same thing with its aquatic center at Frank Brown Park. We would hope a shooting range, though, has much lower overhead and maintenance than a pool does. And given the popularity of firearms in this area, a range might have more clients.

“I hope the numbers will justify us making the next step,” Tunnell said.

And if they don’t, there’s virtually nothing lost. It’s worth finding out. The county’s strategy is right on target.

Kudos to Bay County officials, especially Commissioner Guy Tunnell, for taking a shot on a public gun range.

The Campflowers Gun Range in Youngstown officially opens this weekend for shooters. The first half of each day (8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday) is for 10-yard pistol shooting; the second half (noon to 4 p.m.) is for 100-yard rifle shooting.

The county is partnering with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, at no cost to the county. FWC will provide a range safety officer to oversee the events. Adult shooters must pay a $10 fee (minors under 16 are free but must be accompanied by an adult), and they must also bring their own targets (the range supplies the frames and backings.

County and FWC officials say they have received numerous inquiries over the years from the public about having a range, which isn’t surprising given local gun sales. But officials are being smart about not jumping in with both feet without first testing the waters.

The Campflowers range, which is used by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, will be open to the public only during limited times: this weekend, May 18-19, June 8-9 and July 13-14. Officials want to see what the response is before considering a full-time public facility.

As reported by The News Herald’s Matthew Beaton, the county is looking at putting the new range at the Steelfield Landfill, which already has several natural berms. Most of the work to build the range could be done in-house, and FWC would do the design work. Grants likely would be available to fund it.
“For me the whole thing hinges on what kind of response we get in the next couple of months,” said Tunnell, who has led the effort to set up the range.
Being cautious is the right approach.

The county can justify its involvement from a public safety standpoint. Responsible gun owners should learn how to properly handle and fire their weapons (as well as store them safely). Tunnell said he’s not sure yet how much county money he would be comfortable spending on a full-time public range, but it shouldn’t be a lot. Operations should be funded primarily through user fees, assuming demand is sufficient.

Of course, Panama City Beach thought the same thing with its aquatic center at Frank Brown Park. We would hope a shooting range, though, has much lower overhead and maintenance than a pool does. And given the popularity of firearms in this area, a range might have more clients.

“I hope the numbers will justify us making the next step,” Tunnell said.

And if they don’t, there’s virtually nothing lost. It’s worth finding out. The county’s strategy is right on target.